A Slow Zone - which will include eight speed bumps and 20 mph signs - is coming to Rosebank. It will feature seven gateways at intersections including Bay Street and Chestnut Avenue, Bay Street and Virginia Avenue, Tompkins Avenue and St. Mary's Avenue, and Tompkins Avenue and Clifton Avenue.Advance File Photo

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Slow Zone is coming soon to a rectangular, residential swath of Rosebank between Bay Street and Tompkins Avenue. The installation of eight speed bumps and 20 mph signage is expected to reduce cut-through traffic, noise, and improve safety on the targeted streets, according to the city Department of Transportation (DOT).

The speed bumps are set for installation in March, with signage and other street markings scheduled for June.

DOT representatives Scott Johnson and Ed Pincar unveiled the plan at the Feb. 19 evening meeting of the Rosebank/Fort Wadsworth/Shore Acres area committee of Community Board 1.

The new configuration will result in a loss of eight on-street parking spaces inside the perimeter of the Slow Zone, Johnson told the audience. He noted that all corners marked for No Parking “daylighting” will also feature No Standing signs to keep the areas clear of vehicles.

The speed bumps (technically known as speed humps) are three to four inches high, with a gradual rise designed to be taken at 15 to 20 mph, Johnson said. 

‘GATEWAYS’

In addition to speed bumps, another prominent feature of Slow Zones is the clear marking of its entrances, known as “gateways.”

“A gateway is a treatment at an intersection that uses signs and markings to bring down vehicle speeds,” DOT explains. “Drivers are clearly alerted that they are entering a traffic-calmed zone.”

The Rosebank zone will feature seven gateways at intersections including Bay Street and Chestnut Avenue, Bay Street and Virginia Avenue, Tompkins Avenue and St. Mary’s Avenue, and Tompkins Avenue and Clifton Avenue.

Slow Zones are already in effect on residential streets in Dongan Hills on the East Shore, and New Brighton/St. George/Tompkinsville on the North Shore.

Slow Zone initiatives have dramatically improved safety in European cities, according to the DOT. In London, average speeds have been reduced 9 mph, with a 46 percent reduction in fatal and severe crashes, while in Barcelona crash rates dropped up to 27 percent. In the Netherlands, where 30 km (18 mph) Slow Zones are in effect, the result has seen an average decrease in injuries of 25 percent. 

CONCERNS

Neighborhood residents who attended the meeting questioned the DOT reps about the Slow Zone’s boundaries, expressing concern that the designated area excluded residential streets west of Tompkins Avenue, citing Virginia Avenue in particular as “dangerous.”

They also raised concerns about the troublesome intersection at Tompkins Avenue and Hylan Boulevard, near the post office and Walgreens, which they said needs “Don’t Block the Box” treatment to ease congestion.

“It’s an intersection that can’t be navigated when there’s heavy traffic,” especially when cars are parked in front of the post office, said John Guzzo, the area committee’s chair.

Residents also agreed that the on-street parking on Tompkins Avenue, in front of Walgreens, further impedes the flow of traffic onto Hylan Boulevard. “The area should be daylighted, and should be No Standing, not more parking,” Guzzo commented.